Mine has suddenly become Wicked at this point, and I know that mostpeople are going to say Wicked, but try to name some others. Children Of Eden is also becoming one of my favourites.
I have to agree - my favorite is also THE BAKER'S WIFE. Such a lovely musical all around. "Chanson" might be the loveliest song Schwartz ever wrote (arguably, of course! hehe)
That's tough. My favorite score would have to be The Magic Show (I know how weird that sounds). But my favorite show of his is probably Godspell. Though overdone, it really is a great show and has proven it through its millions of productions over the decades.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Anyway, for Mr. Arthur Schwarts, my favorite show was the BANDWAGON. I saw it when I was 10 and still remember it. He also wrote wonderful scores for REVENGE WITH MUSIC, PARK AVENUE and, of course, A TREEE GROWS IN BROOKLYN.
Miriam
Every movement has a meaning--but what the hell does it mean!
Pippin of course. In my opinion it is one of the greatest shows of all time. I did not feel that way about Wicked. Wicked is entertaining and i had fun but i thought it was over rated. But don't get me wrong i liked Wicked very much. I just don't think it is as good as Pippin. I also think it is marketed well and the star power (Idina and Kristen make the show) I might not be "POPULAR" for saying this but i think Avenue Q is a better score and more entertaining. I also thought Caroline Or Change was a better score then Wicked. (I saw Pippin 5 times on Broadway and my parents bought me the video taped version as i was obsessed with the show. The music is gorgeous.)
Updated On: 3/30/04 at 12:38 PM
Stephen Schwartz's best score, in my humble opinion, is THE BAKER'S WIFE, but the show as a whole is weak. ("Gifts of Love," "Chanson," "Meadowlark," "Proud Lady," etc. -- all terrific.)
(Did anyone else get to see the concert version that they did in Boston last year -- or the year before -- starring Judy Kuhn? It was just OK, but she sang "Meadowlark" better than anyone I'd ever heard before -- and I think I've heard every woman and their Aunt Esther sing that one. She was glorious.)
As far as favorite Schwartz musical (as a whole package), I'd begrudgingly pick PIPPIN. It's tiresome and dated as all get-out, but judging by score, book, and other production qualities it would get my vote. I must say if I never hear that music again I'd be a happy man.
I enjoyed WICKED for the most part, thanks especially to Kristin Chenoweth and Carole Shelley, but I'd have to agree with most of the NY critics when they said that it seems like the wrong score for this show. There are some nice tunes, but the style of music is inconsistent with the material.
Itty Bitty Geisha?
Toyland?
Gypsy Pasadoble?
Just a few popular favorites...
This is pretty hard. I think Wicked, Children of Eden, and Godspell tie---I don't know much about Pippin, but after seeing Wicked twice and being in Godspell, and falling in love with the the score for Children of Eden more and more every day.........I can't pick a favorite.
WICKED is by far my favorite. Scorewise (not counting WICKED), GODSPELL and CHILDREN OF EDEN. PIPPIN has some really nice tunes but overall I found the music in that to be bland and forgettable.
I sang "Corner of the Sky" in a children's choir when I was younger, and it seemed like such a power song, but then I listened to the cast recording and its sung so soft. It's one of those songs I want to sing at the top of my lungs. It seems like one of those "defying what everyone else wants and doing your own thing" songs. If I ever sing it I'm going to sing it loud! I'm sure it is one of those overdone songs, but I'm too young or inexperienced to know.
My avatar is a reminder to myself. I need lots of reminders...
Agreed sonofagunn. I saw a local children's production of PIPPIN and the kid belted the crap out of "Corner of the Sky." It made me fall in love with the song, but I just can't stand the way the actor sings it on the cast recording.
Dagnabit Jamie! Go and give us little tidbits like that! Sheesh! Now you've gone and gotten me all excited. All I have to say is I hope whoever ends up as Pippin sings Corner of the Sky loud not soft! That of course is also dependent on that "perhaps" you've got in there.
My avatar is a reminder to myself. I need lots of reminders...
Another vote for The Baker's Wife. The show itself may never be made to work, but the score is above and beyond everything else he's written. It's just in another realm.
I have always been a huge fan of CHILDREN of EDEN. I have never ever seen it but I have always wanted to. It is playing at the Ford's Theater in Washington DC and I just might have to finally go see it.
What was it about that story that stretched Schwarts out of his hippie-70's pop sound? That's actually the score that made me believe he could really do something special with WICKED.
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
At the moment it is Pippin - we are doing that in our school right now. To bad the audience doesnt understand the show. Love the songs. Morning Glow is gorgeous. Not a fan of the cast recording though. I think our Ensemble doesnt a much better job with it!
Quick question: I have heard so many interpertations of what the show is about. Anybody know? Some say they are all actors (except Pippin) Others say its all in his head. I am so confused!!
Though scattered and divided we are still its heart...AIDA SEPTEMBER 5th, 2004...one more longing backward glance...
I AM NOW "TGIF!"